When you look up the definition of “fearless,” there is a simple answer: 

“To act without fear.” 

No disrespect to Merriam-Webster, but I believe there is a truer statement: “Fearlessness is embracing fear.” 

As humans, we’ve all experienced this powerful emotion – be it from spiders, thunder, or the prospect of losing. The latter can creep up when you least expect it – especially in agency land. In fact, it once happened to me. 

But let’s backtrack. 

I’ve always admired F1 drivers. It takes a courageous individual to reach speeds of 200 mph per race. But are they really doing it without fear? Or, have they found a way to harness their fear? To embrace it, control it, and let it lead them to victory?

I’ve always strived to use this mentality in the marketing world. If you think about it, there are a multitude of similarities between pitching and racing – high stakes, competitors, and a hunger to win. 

But both worlds also present an undeniable fear: Losing. 

When you pitch, you must approach it confidently. Be prepared to stop or turn at any moment. Handle the pressure of competing against the rest. And then…you win or lose. 

Of course, no one wants to lose. Trust me, I’ve been there. But what I’ve learned over the years is that the possibility of crashing is always worth the risk. And even if it seems fatal at the moment, it isn’t. 

The same logic applies to firing… 

I once went into a meeting with the intent of parting ways with a client. I was extremely prepared with my talking points, spent hours detailing facts that resulted in putting my team through unacceptable situations and treatment, but once niceties were concluded, the client beat me to the punch! 

While I didn’t anticipate their actions of firing me, I decided not to run from that initial shock of fear. Instead, I embraced what happened, reflected on where the relationship had mutually fallen short, and used that insight for my future clients. Suddenly, the situation didn’t seem fear-inducing at all. In fact, it made me feel more confident. Fearless. 

This experience has allowed me to instill the same mentality into my own team. After all, behind the faces on a Zoom call – or the wins of a race car driver – is a collective of talented individuals dedicated to making extraordinary work that puts our victory in motion. And it’s my responsibility to shift their mindset so they can approach their days fearlessly, too. 

So, be less afraid of fear. 

Accept it. Embrace it. And let it propel you and your team towards the finish line.